Marat Khusnutdinov, a prospect for the Minnesota Wild, skated for the first time and is expected to make his NHL debut during the current homestand. He impressed during practice, showing skill and a strong presence. Khusnutdinov, who is still adjusting to the time change, missed a dinner with Kirill Kaprizov due to oversleeping. He is being mentored by Kaprizov and is working on improving his English. Despite not playing in the recent game, Khusnutdinov is actively participating in team meetings to prepare for his debut.
Also tonight, Johansson returns from lower body injury and Fleury in net for second game in a row. #MNWild
Also tonight, Johansson returns from lower body injury and Fleury in net for second game in a row.
No Khusnutdinov tonight #MNWild
Marat Khusnutdinov won't make his #mnwild NHL debut tonight, but he continues to settle in -- with the help of Kirill Kaprizov: https://t.co/0TJwGPHTRH
Marcus Foligno wasn't on the ice this morning, but he will play tonight, #mnwild coach John Hynes said. Marcus Johansson returns from injury. Adam Beckman exits the lineup. Marc-Andre Fleury will start in net vs. Arizona.
Beckman out, Foligno playing. Johansson back. Fleury will start. Khusnutdinov will be in all the meetings today, won’t warm up since he’s not playing. They want to save his rookie lap for his NHL debut. #mnwild
Marc-Andre Fleury starts. Marcus Foligno good to go tonight. Marcus Johansson returns, Beckman out. #mnwild
No Marcus Foligno at skate for #mnwild
Foligno not skating. Johansson is back and on No. 2 PP unit. #mnwild
“He’s a good guy. Free taxi.” With Kirill Kaprizov taking Marat Khusnutdinov under his wing, Russian rookie talks about his transition + upcoming NHL debut. Get to know #mnwild prospect + his personality in this story https://t.co/yg5Qg3Zbin
What a great kid. And he’s English isn’t too bad either. Said Kaprizov has been his taxi driver and confirms he did sleep through a dinner with Kirill. “We go to lunch, and after lunch, he just say go sleep maybe one hour. I sleep four or five.” ���� #mnwild https://t.co/7Nq8Pkv8be
Khusnutdinov confirmed. He had lunch with Kaprizov, Kaprizov told him to get an hour of sleep and he slept right through dinner with Kirill. Impressive how he’s trying to talk in English throughout first presser. Says he may get an English teacher https://t.co/cYvXtcv0lG
Khusnutdinov on Kaprizov, In English: “Good guy. Good driver. Free taxi.” This guy is a beauty
Per Hynes, JoJo is possible to return tomorrow. Will know after skate. Marat is a possibility to debut this week. Hynes said beyond just the getting work in w/team, he’s still adjusting from the travel too. Hynes said Marat accidentally slept through a dinner w/Kaprizov.
Didn’t sound like Khusnutdinov will debut tomorrow. #mnwild cognizant he hasn’t skated in awhile and is having trouble getting used to time change. Hynes said Khusnutdinov slept thru dinner date with Kaprizov 2 nights ago 😂😂😂Will at least be part of mtgs, warm up like Chisholm
Hynes had great example of Khusnutdinov dealing with time change. He was supposed to have dinner with Kaprizov the other day and he overslept. https://t.co/gVfCFol40x
Hynes said Johansson is getting closer, could be back Tues. Not sure if Khusnutdinov will debut. Likely on this homestand. They want to take him through a game day routine, warmup. #mnwild. He’s still getting acclimated to here, time change.
Khusnutdinov was one of last #mnwild players on ice after practice. Looked good, smooth in his skating. Strong stick on ‘D’. Lot of smiles. Teammates say he’s already shown his personality a bit. Locker stall between Bogosian and Beckman. https://t.co/uNmNvrYn4L
He’s here. Marat K. Officially skating at #mnwild optional practice Marcus Johansson also with the group https://t.co/0K2pPCX1MX
Marat Khusnutdinov in the house for his first #mnwild practice https://t.co/aNI67Tx3uQ
Marcus Johansson out here for #mnwild optional practice.
#mnwild holding an optional practice today. Will be Marat Khusnutdinov’s first actual practice. Ran into him last night. My first impressions: He is built solidly despite being 5-11, will break your hand with a handshake and had to be exhilarated by last night’s home crowd/win
#mnwild’s Marat Khusnutdinov arrives, skates for first time and should make NHL debut on homestand STORY>>> https://t.co/aVmoKvoPre